I am Gilly Foreman, and I lived in Turkey for 23 years, during which time I helped many many dogs get away from lives of neglect and abuse to loving homes in the UK; I now live in UK, but try to still help where I can. Recently, this little dog came to my attention.
His name is Max, and at just 8 months of age, he was abandoned...dumped on a cold evening on the streets of a busy town in Aydin county. Passive and scared he was terrified of the traffic and the local territorial street dogs started bullying him almost immediately, as he was a new boy on the block. He was distressed , confused and anguished and did not know where to hide....but whilst searching for a safe spot, a local Dutch lady animal rescuer happened upon him. A kind sympathetic voice was all he needed, and Max went to her, and clung to her. Not wanting to let her out of his sight, he followed Lisanne all the way home. Seeing how scared he was, and knowing he had no chance of survival on the streets, she took him in and reached out to any local animal rescues or associations for help.
As a member of Animal Friends of Turkey (AFOT) I saw the post she put on Facebook about this dear sweet boy, and my heart went into loops. Not only for Max, but also because he is the absolute spitting image of a darling dog I had some years back in Turkey, called Frodo....right down to the white splodge on his chest, and his spotty white socks! Even the look in his eye was the same; it could have been the same dog! Frodo sadly was killed by a speeding car when he had only been with me 3 months, after being "walked" down to a main road by a neighbour....he had only just started to really trust me and engage with me optically. I was heartbroken. If I could help Max, it would be in memory of poor Frodo, who should still be with me to this day.
I contacted the founding committee member of AFOT and asked for their help with Max, as I want him to have a proper thorough homecheck for wherever he goes, and RBU in case something unexpected goes wrong. They assured me they will help Max IF I can raise the bulk of the funding for him, as they already have so many waiting, and all need funds.
Max is now in foster with Lisanne. He is a happy, enthusiastic and extremely affectionate boy, who can be left at home alone, although he does have slight separation anxieties, almost certainly due to his abandonment. He loves people, all other dogs, and children, although in his excitement can be somewhat boisterous at present. At only 9 months old now he is of course still a pup, and showing intelligence usual of terrier breeds, is quick to learn, and will soon pick up any "rules" about what is allowed and not allowed.
Max also adores cats, although they are not always too keen on his excitability at seeing them! With other dogs, he tends to be bullied somewhat by those more dominant, as he is very submissive.
With the love of the right family he will soon feel safe and secure, and whoever chooses to adopt Max will be getting a really lovely young, loyal, affectionate friend.
The funding required is for his travel procedure, which is microchip, rabies vac, 30 day titre bloodtest, export report from third unlisted country to EU, worming and flea control, and neutering. He had rather bad kennel cough also after being taken in, and has been successfully treated for that with a course of antibiotics. He has tested negative for all tick-borne blood parasites and leishmania. Also required is the cost of his travel by road to the UK with one of the superb efficent and professional companies that AFOT use regularly.
Regular updates will be given, with videos and photos of Max in his temporary foster home with Lisanne. Carol Holbrook is the AFOT founder, and will be a joint admin on here with myself, so can also post any updates to keep anyone informed.
PLEASE PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN. IF 200 PEOPLE SEE THIS AND DONATE JUST £5 EACH, IT WILL GIVE US WHAT WE NEED TO SECURE MAX'S FUTURE. HE IS SPECIAL TO ME, AND I SO WANT HIM TO HAVE THE WONDERFUL HOME HE DESERVES.